Christ Child Society marks 30th anniversary

April 20, 2012

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the local chapter of the National Christ Child Society, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve needy children. The Northern Michigan chapter includes 250 women who volunteer to meet the needs of area underserved children.

In 1993, local residents Mary Kay Jones and Mary Lee Moon donated the Harbor Springs home which now serves as the headquarters and base for the society's programs.

The Christ Child Society was founded in 1887 in Washington, D.C. by Mary Virginia Merrick, a young woman who was paralyzed after a fall. Confined to a wheelchair, Merrick began sewing clothes for needy children and encouraged her friends to join her. The national organization now has 7,000 members in 40 chapters in 17 states.

The Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, ecumenical organization which relies on donations; all donations stay in the community to fund local projects.

Christ Child members volunteer in many projects, but their signature project is hand-knitting baby layettes. Other projects include tutoring, care kits, Thanksgiving food baskets, Christmas gifts for children, providing filled backpacks for Head Start children, and many more.

The organization will begin its anniversary celebration with an ecumenical service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 7, at Holy Childhood Church in Harbor Springs, followed by a luncheon at Birchwood Farms Country Club.

For membership information, to make a donation, or information about any projects of the society, contact the Christ Child office at (231) 526-7271.